If we will know them by the obvious fruit of their lives or ministries, then what fruit are we looking for? This is not only for a general ministry, but can be for personal ministries, leadership, and for individuals as well.
Matthew 7:20 TPT “You’ll know them by the obvious fruit of their lives and ministries.”
We know from Galatians chapter 5 that the fruit of the Holy Spirit. What are the traits of the Fruit of the Spirit? Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control.
We all can, for a moment or perhaps longer than others, produce the fruit to some degree until you reach your threshold. But we must strive to the level of eternity as Jesus, our role model.
What is the purpose? What is the purpose and context of verse 20? The context warns us about false prophets and ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing. The purpose of the Fruit is to build up the church or people. First to your own families – spouse and children. Second to the church and third to your communities, such as the workplace. Or you can be a false prophet who claims to be a Christian and tears down your family (spouse & children), church members, or others, such as your bosses, customers, co-workers, friends, strangers, etc.
Are you one who builds up people or just gets into arguments, fights, altercations, yelling matches, flips off, runs away, slander, curses, and hurts people? Or are you just a deer 🦌 looking at the Light of God, but are passive or scared to be of any good? Either way will define you a false prophet or ravenous wolf? A ravenous wolf just tears and devours other people.
So what fruit do you possess? Do you have a history of building up or tearing down? If we have a history of building, then we have people respecting, following, and loving us. If we have a history of tearing and devouring others, we will experience a lack of respect, no one following except our minions, and people drawing away from us.
So look at your fruit rather than having a presumption that you are doing well in this area.
Answer my rhetorical question for yourself in the comment.
Additional Comments:
Look at your fruit. Look at the condition of your spouse. Look at the condition of your children. Look at the condition of your life. Look at the condition at your workplace – have you made a difference, or will you run? Look at the condition of those under your group? Look 👀
What fruit are you producing? The fruit you produce may depend on your destination of eternity.
Senior Pastor Steve Kim